BT U-turns on unmetered Net access

Well, it had to happen in the end

The inevitable has finally happened. BT has buckled under the strain of public opinion and announced it is to "to reduce dramatically the cost of dial-up calls to the Internet". Although the exact details of the arrangement are still uncertain, the deal could mean that ISPs would be able to offer unmetered access to the Net for as little as £10 a month. The new service provider tariff will be available from mid-December once the monster telco has received the go-ahead from the watchdog, Oftel. A statement issued today reads: "This will make it possible for ISPs to launch radically new subscription tariffs which might include unlimited dial-up calls to the Internet for a single monthly fee." Bill Cockburn, group managing director of BT UK, said: "BT is continuing to develop a range of Internet access options which cater effectively for both heavy and infrequent users, ranging from individuals at home to major corporations." The company said it would invest more than £100 million over the next two financial years on technology which will optimise the network for Internet use. No one from BT was available to discuss the announcement further. ®